The Best Deals on Back to School Tech

August used to mean stocking up on pencils, pens, notebooks, and crayons but these days it's all about laptops, printers, and software. Lucky for you, plenty of tech companies are offering great deals for you or the students in your life. Here's a list of some of the best.

Apple: Right now you can save up to $200 on a new Mac computer (Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, or iMac); with your purchase you'll net a $100 app store gift card. You won't get any discounts on an iPad or iPhone but buy one and you'll receive a $50 app store gift card. Apple's education pricing is available to college students, students just accepted into college, parents buying for a college student, and faculty members from any grade level. Just go to the Apple for Education online store and enter the name of the school. Be prepared to fax proof of enrollment before your product ships. If you choose to shop in-store, bring along a college student ID, proof of enrollment, or a faculty ID.

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HP: Once students set up an HP Academy account, they're entitled to discounts of up to 20% on HP products. . Benefits are extended to K-12 students, college students, parents of students, education faculty, and college alumni. HP maintains the right to request proof of eligibility.

Dell: High school and college students (and parents shopping for them) can get up to 30% off on Dell computers. Along with select models over $699, you'll receive a $200 e-gift card for use towards a new Xbox. You'll be prompted to enter the name of your school before shopping.

Sony: If you're a college student or faculty member, you're eligible to shop Sony's education online store and save up to 10%. You enter in the name and type of your school to create an account in order to qualify.

Microsoft: Students can get a 10% off promo code by entering their .edu email address in Microsoft's online student store. The discount is eligible on Surface products, software, and accessories as well as on PCs, Microsoft Office, and Windows 8 Pro.

Adobe: At the Adobe education store, students and faculty can save up to a whopping 80% on Adobe products including the Adobe Creative Suite. Just be prepared to email a valid academic identification in order to qualify.

Norton: These days antivirus protection for computers is as critical as tissues and rain boots. Students can save 50% on Norton's suite of antivirus products for PC, Mac, and mobile by providing a valid .edu email.

Best Buy: Savings here include $100 on a Macbook or iMac at Best Buy as well as on other electronics like headphones, TVs, printers, and more. Purchase select Windows 8 touch-screen computers and you'll be offered a free, 4-year subscription to Office 365 University and a 16 GB flash drive. In order to receive the discounts, students enter their .edu email address and Best Buy emails them coupons.

Amazon: Amazon is offering a free 6-month subscription to Amazon Prime for students. With Prime, they'll get free 2-day shipping and exclusive student discounts. If after 6 months they become a paying Amazon Prime member (at 50% off the full price) they'll receive unlimited instant video streaming. Sign up using a valid .edu email.

These offerings will take some of the sting out of the hefty cost of back-to-school tech. If you're looking for other tools to help you shop smart, try some of our favorite free shopping and deal apps and other tech tools for shopping. And remember, your student won't be in school forever, so enjoy the savings while you can!